The Hearing Heart - What You Need to Know

The Hearing Heart - What You Need to Know

The room is quiet, and you notice you can hear your heart beating, or even pounding – in your ears. You sleep with the television on so you don’t pay attention to the constant, incessant ringing - tinnitus.  You jump up from your chair quickly and hear a loud and rhythmic swishing sound – the blood pumping through your circulatory system.  You experience a sudden and strong ear ache or pain, that comes and goes.  All of these symptoms are problems with your hearing. But they could also be problems with your heart.  And that’s a warning sign you should listen to.

The month of February is Heart Month and you’ll be hearing a lot of information about your heart health.  Maybe you’ll schedule that annual physical to check out your risk factors.  If you are at the doctor’s office or clinic, you will most likely be sent for some standard blood work.  Usually cholesterol and diabetes indicators will be measured.  You may even get an EKG while you’re there – and certainly have your heart listened to.  You’ll get some questions about your diet, and be asked if you smoke.  If you’re overweight or a smoker you’ll more than likely be offered a program to help you stop smoking and reduce your weight.  You may be asked how active you are and if you exercise.  Almost all of these things will lead your physician to get a good feel for how your heart is doing, and if you are controlling those risk factors that can be controlled.

But, think about it.  Other than looking into your ears for fluid or wax buildup, did your doctor ask you about how you are hearing?  If not and you’ve experienced some of the things mentioned - pounding or ringing in your ears, a swishing sound, a sense of hearing your heart beat,  a strong ear ache that comes and goes, or other symptoms, mention them.  Cardiovascular issues are most often associated with decrease blood flow somewhere in the body. Having good hearing requires the structures in the ear to have strong blood flow to work properly, among other things. So, any changes in your hearing might be issues that can be treated, or corrected, with a hearing aid.  Or, they could be a warning sign that your heart is in trouble. That’s a warning that many of us would not suspect – a warning from your ears to your heart.  Your audiologist or otolaryngologist is also specially trained to pick up on these symptoms that can often be missed or not seen as important.

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Stroke is a brain attack.

Having a stroke is often described as having a heart attack in your brain.  Because stroke occurs in the brain, the connection with hearing can be a strong one.  TIAs (transient ischemic attacks) and ischemia mean restricted blood flow is happening in a part of the body.  Hearing issues can be a strong indicator and predictor. Paying attention to them can literally save your life.

David R. Friedland, MD, PHD., Professor & Vice Chair of Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences at the Medical College of Wisconsin, has been studying the relationship between cardiovascular and hearing health for years.  He says, “The inner ear is so sensitive to blood flow that it is possible that any abnormalities in the cardiovascular system could be noticed earlier than in other less sensitive parts of the body.”  80% of heart disease is preventable – so listen closely to what your body is telling you.

February is such a special month, and even though winter is still at our door, the color red surrounds us. Flowers are being given. Those great heart-shaped boxes of chocolate will be matched with cards expressing love and happiness. Yes, February is the month to celebrate love and Valentine’s Day, and to increase our awareness about our hearts as we also recognize Heart Month. We will be wearing red this week, culminating in Go Red Day this Friday.  Everything from health messages to food products with red hearts on them will remind us of special ways we should be thinking about our hearts - physical and emotional. 

The month of love.

Hearing is often called “the window to your heart”, for all the reasons we mentioned, above.  But, in addition to the physical heart, hearing well keeps you socially, cognitively and physically active – and happy.  Life improves dramatically, overall, and in particular with your interpersonal relationships when your hearing is improved.  You’re less likely to feel angry and frustrated and you will have enhanced emotional stability.  The depression associated with uncorrected hearing loss can itself become a warning sign for physical issues with your heart as you socialize less and become more sedentary and isolated.

So, this February, in addition to increasing your awareness about your heart and risk factors, schedule a hearing test.  If you have any of the symptoms noted at the beginning of this article, your hearing professional is specially trained to know what advice to give you.  If you need a hearing aid, there are many options for you. A few years ago, the hearing aid was called the “Must-Have Electronic Gadget for Enhancing Life”.  And we agree. Missing “sweet nothings” whispered on Valentine’s Day will never have to happen again. And your heart will love you for that.

This story is part of an ongoing series between GoLocal and Beltone - a sponsored content series.